Skip to main content

Business Funding Available

EDA CARES funding is available through the NARCOG Business Fund

Funds are available for existing businesses now.  

  • 0% interest for the duration of the loan
  • Loan terms of 5 to 10 years
  • Funds may be used for working capital, rent, utilities, other COVID related expenses

Call our Crystal Julien at 256-355-4515, ext 258 to see how we can assist your business.  Read more about our business loans.

Locate a list of participating lender for PPP loans at https://www.sba.gov/PaycheckProtection/find

SECOND RELIEF BILL

A summary of this legislation from the Small Business Administration (SBA) is provided below. 

COVID Relief Package Details
 
There are over 5,500 pages in the pending legislation from Congress, and we haven't finished reading every line just yet. Here's what we know now, and what you can expect:
  1. It will take SBA some time to implement what Congress has passed. Most SBA employees are working from home, and many are on holiday leave.
  2. Once SBA has established the rules, it will take time for the lenders to implement them. This legislation addresses issues with the original PPP, and sets new rules for the "second draw" opportunity.
  3. The legislation fixes some issues with the original programs, but won't fix everything - and will create new questions that will take time to answer.
 
The highlights below are directly from the small business committee summaries:
  • Simplified forgiveness form for loans under $150,000. SBA has 24 days to create the form.
  •  "PPP Second Draw" allows companies with under 300 employees per physical location that have used or will use their entire first PPP, and can demonstrate a 25% reduction in receipts relative to the same quarter in 2019.
  •  Borrowers may receive a loan amount of up to 2.5X the average monthly payroll costs in the one year prior to the loan or the calendar year. No loan can be greater than $2 million.
  •  Entities in industries assigned to NAICS code 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) may receive loans of up to 3.5X average monthly payroll costs.
  •  Borrowers of a PPP second draw loan would be eligible for loan forgiveness equal to the sum of their payroll costs, as well as covered mortgage, rent, and utility payments, covered operations expenditures, covered property damage costs, covered supplier costs, and covered worker protection expenditures incurred during the covered period. The 60/40 cost allocation between payroll and nonpayroll costs in order to receive full forgiveness will continue to apply. The bill adds PPE expenses, costs associated with outdoor dining, and supplier costs as eligible and forgivable expenses;
  •  Expanded eligibility for 501(c)(6) organizations. (See PDFs below for details.)
  •  pecific funds set aside for community development financial institutions (CDFIs), minority depository intuitions (MDIs), and other small deposit institutions.
  •  Targeted EIDL Advance grants. Small businesses and nonprofits in low-income communities are eligible to receive $10,000 grants. Any small businesses and nonprofits in low-income communities that received an EIDL Advance previously are also eligible to receive the full $10,000 if their award was less in the first round of grants.
  •  Repeal of the EIDL Advance Deduction: Finally, some clarity on a nagging question. PPP borrowers are no longer required to deduct the amount of their EIDL advance from their PPP forgiveness amount. Coming soon: If you've already received PPP forgiveness, and the EIDL Advance was deducted, SBA will issue rules on how you will be made whole.

 Taxes:

  • Forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans will not be included in taxable income.
  • The bill extends and expands the refundable Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) through July 1, 2021, to help keep additional U.S. workers on payroll and more small businesses and nonprofits afloat. Specifically, this legislation, among other changes: Increases the credit rate, from 50% to 70%; Raises the limit on per-employee creditable wages from $10,000 for the year, to $10,000 for each quarter.
  •  Extended Debt Relief: This bill provides $3.5 billion to resume debt relief payments of principal and interest (P&I) on small business loans guaranteed by the SBA under the 7(a), 504 and microloan programs. All borrowers with qualifying loans approved by the SBA prior to the CARES Act will receive an additional three months of P&I, starting in February 2021.
  •  Grants to Shuttered Venue Operators: The bill provides $15 billion for SBA grants up to $10 million to live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions to address the economic effects of the pandemic. Grants can be used to cover expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
 
 
As more details emerge from SBA, we will do our best to keep you posted.
Want to read more? Here are the summaries as we received them:

US Small Business AdministrationWe support America's small businesses. The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.

https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

* The number for deaf or hearing impaired individuals to call is: 800-877-8339. 

U.S. Chamber of Commercethe latest resources, guidance and insights to protect American businesses, workers and families.

https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/business-owner-tips-coronavirus-pandemic

US Chamber Small Business Loan Guide

The Department of Labor has published a series of fact sheets and Q&A on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic

Centers for Disease Control - the nation's health protection agency.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

Alabama Business Resources

Alabama Small Business Commission launched the Atlas Alabama website to serve small business owners in the state.

Go to Atlas Alabama website

Alabama Department of Laborinformation on state income tax extension, taxes due and unemployment claims. https://www.labor.alabama.gov/

Made in Alabama: Alabama Department of Commerce - In collaboration with our state and federal partners, the Department has assembled a comprehensive list of resources related to the COVID-19 response to assist Alabama employers and workers.  https://www.madeinalabama.com/why-alabama/covid-19-resources/

Alabama Small Business Development Center

www.asbdc.org